Mario Kart 7

Seeing as this doesn't exist either, I thought i'd get the ball rolling. This is a definite day one purchase for me, though whether or not i'll be able to get online with it, who knows. Below are links to video previews of the Mushroom and Shell cups, which are looking good. With the newer tracks they've gone for the shorter tracks, much like in Mario Kart DS. There are a couple of changes made to the old tracks in the Shell Cup too. Most notably in the cave on the Wii's Mushroom Gorge.

Looking forward to the online side of it. Its going to be very easy to set up a community, find people to play games and compare results and times. 60fps online multiplayer and racing up to 7 ghosts at a time
This video explains all the features:

How the Blue Shell works:This time, it travels along the ground like in the N64 version, blowing away everything in its path in pursuit of the lead driver. In its final approach, it flies up as in the more recent Kart games, dropping down in an explosion. This incarnation is especially evil. In one of my races, I was hit from behind while in third place. The first two drivers then crossed the finish line while the shell was in its airborne stage. The shell then reversed course in mid-air and came back to hit me again.

That just sounds hilarious. I know some people don't like the blue shell but my favourite Mario Kart moments are often fucking people over just before the finishing line.

Also is this a mid-air mushroom ~ 1m37s? I have not seen this mentioned in previews but it could lead to some crazy shortcuts.

I cannot wait for this, hoping to have some pennies saved up for it, having checked my Wii information channel (or whatever its called) Mario Kart Wii was easily the most played came, over 200 hours, and Mario Kart DS was a fantatsic version, everything ive seen about this one seems to show they are making good decisions... and the blue shell, its everything that epitimises mario kart, random elements make no race a certainty but the most skill players will win the majority of races. whens release date?

Without it, first place would have an advantage, having only to defend themselves from 2nd place. Everyone else, with the exception of last place would be atracking and defending both sides at the same time. I think the blue shell works well.

Raiko101 wrote:
Without it, first place would have an advantage, having only to defend themselves from 2nd place. Everyone else, with the exception of last place would be atracking and defending both sides at the same time. I think the blue shell works well.

The item system is heavily biased enough toward the players at the back what with stars and Bullet Bills etc. The blue shell is just cheap and penalises the front runners for being good at the game. Items like stars and Bullet Bills and red shells work well because you have to at least be in close proximity to the leader for them to do maximum damage.